Traders and shop owners at the Wuse Market in Abuja have criticised the sale of prime shops and stalls at the market.
This followed an eviction notice given to occupants of stores by the Abuja Investment and Property Development Company (AIPDC).
The affected traders have petitioned the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, urging him to urgently intervene and halt the sale.
According to the traders, the prices for the shops were arbitrarily increased to N60 million per shop, an amount they said was unaffordable.
Investigations by the Global Information Team (GIT) intelligence desk reveal that the move was initiated by the immediate past Group Managing Director of AIPDC without involving the Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML).
Ordinarily, the AMML is the sole subsidiary tasked with the management of markets in the FCT.
The head of the GIT intelligence desk, Anabel Crown, noted that the actions of the AIPDC leadership almost dented the reputation of the AMML.
She implored the minister who recently resolved a crisis in the AMML to take charge of the matter and empower AMML to manage the Wuse Market henceforth.
The traders said the eviction notice and sale came as a surprise when the market was enjoying relative stability.
They expressed fears that the new owners may increase the shop rates once they take over.
The traders’ petitions have been sent to the FCT Minister, FCT administration, National Human Rights Commission, and the EFCC.
